The Era of Good Feelings

The Era of Good Feelings

The next decade or so after the War of 1812 is referred to in United States history

as “The Era of Good Feelings”. It was during this time that the very PARTISAN bickering quieted down, and there was relative peace and calm for most of

the period. This time also saw the United States work toward more acceptance by

the rest of the world. Further exploration of the West occurred and the country moved

toward INDUSTRIALIZATION.

James Monroe – a

Democratic-Republican

Rufus King – a Federalist

►James Monroe, who had been Secretary of State under James Madison, easily won the election of 1816.

►He was also involved in 1803, with the purchase of Louisiana from Napoleon.

►He was popular enough that he easily won re-election in 1820.

►He appointed people from different regions of the country to various posts, and picked effective leaders.

►Some of our border disputes were resolved during this time as well.

► In 1817, the RUSH-BAGOT TREATY with Britain was signed. This treaty de-militarized the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.

►Our border with Canada is still the longest de-militarized border in the world.

► In the TREATY OF 1818, further border issues with Britain were resolved.

► It was agreed to draw a straight line from Lake of the Woods in Minnesota along the 49th parallel to the Rocky Mountains as the border.

► It was also agreed to share Oregon.

The United States in 1818

The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819

Spain, which had been a major power in the western hemisphere for over three centuries saw its influence

decline in the 1800s. In this treaty, they relinquished their claims to

Florida, and the U. S. gave up some territory it had purchased in 1803, as

well as some claims it had on the region of Texas. Spain also agreed to

the 42nd parallel as its northern border.

The Monroe Doctrine►In 1823, President Monroe issued the

famous MONROE DOCTRINE.►The doctrine stated that the Western

Hemisphere was no longer open for any further European colonization.

►The United States would consider further attempts at colonization as aggression.

►Basically the doctrine said we would stay out of European affairs, if they would stay out of ours.

There was mixed reaction to the Doctrine, but many countries in the western hemisphere

struggling for independence were happy to hear it.

Transportation Improves

►ROADS – more roads and highways were built. Some were government-financed and some were private “toll roads” or “turnpikes”.

►STEAMBOATS – improved the ability to travel “up river” or against the current. They were used for both passengers and freight.

►CANALS – many were dug to link important bodies of water so as to make it easier, quicker, and cheaper to ship people and products.

The “National Road” was one of the first highways built by the Federal government.

It originally cut through the Appalachian Mountains, and extended

over 600 miles.

Steamboat Travel

The Erie Canal was built to allow products to travel from the Great Lakes to the

Atlantic.

The Erie Canal travels 363 miles between Buffalo and Albany. It was built from 1817 –

1825, and caused New York City to grow in population.

Many towns and cities grew along the Erie Canal. Rail lines also eventually developed

close to or near the canal. {THE CANAL TODAY}

The “Era of Good Feelings” Ends

►By 1824, regional rivalries helped end the “Era of Good Feelings”.

►In the North, wealth was based on trade and manufacturing.

►In the South, agriculture, led by the production of cotton through slavery was crucial.

►In the West, settlers were looking for cheap land and good transportation.

In the election that year, Northerners tended to support John Quincy

Adams, son of our second president. The South favored William Crawford of Georgia. In the West, Henry Clay

from Kentucky, and Andrew Jackson, the former military hero from

Tennessee were favored. Jackson won the popular vote, but not enough

electoral votes to become president. The election was decided in the

House of Representatives.

Andrew Jackson

John Q. Adams

William Crawford

Henry Clay

►Only the top 3 vote getters were voted on.

►Henry Clay, who had come in 4th, threw his support to John Quincy Adams, who ended up winning.

►Later, Adams named Henry Clay to the very important position of Secretary of State.

►This infuriated Andrew Jackson and many of his supporters.

►They called it a “Corrupt Bargain”.

►Adams had a lot of plans for the country, but angry Jackson supporters in Congress thwarted his plans.

Jackson got his revenge in 1828.